AJAX -- Luke Phrand, Sam Butler and Aaliyah Alexander find First Nations history and culture fascinating as they learn more about it at school.

“They have a unique way of expressing themselves a lot,” says Luke, a Grade 5 student.

He likes the way they “live by the land,” their colourful art, storytelling, drumming and dancing.

The Grade 5 class at Westney Heights Public School is of one of six classes in the Durham District School Board involved in the First Nation Literacy Partnership Program.

I like all of the activities and all of the new learning. Aaliyah Alexander, Grade 5 student

“It exists as an opportunity to raise awareness of First Nation, Metis and Inuit cultures, history and perspectives,” said the board’s educational officer of Aboriginal studies, Carolyn Porter.

Classes taking part are armed with both fiction and non-fiction books about the contributions made by First Nations people and Aboriginal leaders.

Grade 5 teacher Samantha Smith said she finds the students are able to relate to the Seven Sacred Teachings they’re learning about, since they’re similar to character education taught at the school.

“I like how easily it integrates into what we’re teaching the kids,” she said.

The students were able to recite the sacred teachings of love, respect, honesty, truth, humility, courage and wisdom.

“You have to respect every teacher and every kid,” Sam said.

Aaliyah said it’s important to learn about First Nations culture, and while she has learned a bit in the past, she’s learned the most through this program.

“I like all of the activities and all of the new learning,” she said.

Francis Jeffers of the International African Inventors Museum travels to various schools to teach children about inventions and prominent people from various cultural backgrounds.

“It’s basically showing diversity and innovation,” he said.

Mr. Jeffers recently stopped by Westney Heights PS so the children could learn more about Aboriginal people and their contributions to society.

“All of it is not conveyed in the textbooks and the curriculum,” Mr. Jeffers said.

However, the Ministry of Education has been working to include more Aboriginal education in schools, said Ms. Porter. She explained the ministry has revised the social studies curriculum to be fully implemented in 2014 with Aboriginal perspectives in the social studies from grades 1 to 8, and is currently working to add more Aboriginal perspectives into Canadian world studies.

“That is great news,” she said. “What we’re finding is more and more students are self-identifying as they see themselves reflected in the curriculum.”

In fact, three of Ms. Smith’s students have self-identified as First Nations.

“They were so excited to declare,” she said.

Principal Julia Blizzard is pleased to see more Aboriginal education in the resources.